. >>> detroit could soon have company in bankruptcy court and if other municipalities or states wind up there, it could become the cause of a common affliction. chief national correspondent jim angle tonight on the unfunded pension peril. >> reporter: many state and city workers around the country are worried what happened in detroit may happen to them. abru bankrupt city that starts cut pension benefits. >> there's a tendency to overpromise, underfund them, and when a problem comes up, the actuary says put in so much, they're very ready to just defer that cost onto the next generation. >> reporter: some pensions have been improving, but a study found eight states have less than 60% of funds. illinois the worst at 45%. $138 billion short. >> every year lost is a much bigger challenge as one rolls forward. so they have to make either significant tax changes or they need to make significant benefit changes. >> reporter: politicians have nothing but unpopular choices, cut benefits, raise taxes, cut other programs to get the money. in chicago, that dilemma falls to democratic operative m